FSU LADY BRONCOS PREDICTED TO FINISH 3RD IN THE CIAA SOUTHERN DIVISIONAkysia Resper Selected to the Pre-Season All CIAA Team

Akysia Resper has been called upon to be a captain this season.

Oct. 3, 2013

CHARLOTTE, NC - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) kicked off the 2013-14 basketball season with its annual Media Day and release of the Coaches' Association predicted order of finish and pre-season All Conference teams.

The Fayetteville State Lady Broncos were predicted to finish third in the Southern Division behind reigning CIAA champion Shaw and Winston-Salem State; as announced in order by Stan Lewter, emcee, of Urban Sports & Entertainment. Johnson C. Smith, Saint Augustine's and Livingstone finish out the division; respectfully. Elizabeth City State was predicted to lead the Northern Division.

Senior guard Akysia Resper (Concord, NC) was named to the Pre-Season All-CIAA Team. One of three seniors on the team, Resper averaged 11.2 points per game and shot 77% (104-of-135) from the free-throw line.

"Akysia Resper is a consummate player. Not only is she a heady basketball player, she is also a great student; earning almost a 4.0 gpa and will be graduating in May. She is a great leader and it seems that every tournament game she seems to turns it up and her play is just phenomenal", says Head Coach Eva Patterson-Heath during the fire-side type chat with the emcee. Resper has been called upon to be a captain this season.

The event, held at the Sheraton Uptown Charlotte, featured special guests including the mayor of Charlotte, Patsy Kinsey, Vice President of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Mike Butts, and Donna Julian, Senior Vice President of Arena and Event Operations of Time Warner Cable Arena.

Fayetteville State finished the 2012-13 with a 24-5 overall record and 14-2 finish in conference play. The Lady Broncos did not receive the opportunity to extend its season into the NCAA playoffs.

"It was very difficult last year. We had a great season but it was so bitter-sweet with the nine seniors to not get that tournament bid from the NCAA. It's not really a motivating factor; because every season we have the same kind of goals," states Coach Patterson-Heath.

"We are excited about the upcoming season. Our student-athletes have had an out-standing preseason; such as co-senior Je'Lena Robertson (Houston, TX) and the return of Deja Middleton (Richmond, VA); the 2009 CIAA Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.

Fayetteville State will open the regular season on Friday, November 8th when the Lady Broncos play host to Barber-Scotia at 5:30 pm.